Dominguez et al. (2004) suggest that by studying genes that determine growth and tissue specification in the eye of Drosophila, much can be learned about human eye development.
What evidence suggests that genetic eye determinants in Drosophila are also found in humans? Include a discussion of orthologous genes in your answer.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by defining orthologous genes: these are genes in different species that evolved from a common ancestral gene and typically retain the same function across species.
2. Explain that researchers have identified genes in Drosophila that control eye development, such as the 'eyeless' gene, which is crucial for eye formation in flies.
3. Discuss how the human ortholog of the Drosophila 'eyeless' gene is PAX6, a gene that also plays a key role in human eye development, indicating a conserved genetic mechanism.
4. Highlight experimental evidence where the Drosophila 'eyeless' gene can induce eye formation in other tissues, and similarly, human PAX6 can functionally substitute for 'eyeless' in flies, demonstrating functional conservation.
5. Conclude that the presence of orthologous genes like 'eyeless' and PAX6, along with their conserved roles in eye development, provides strong evidence that genetic determinants of eye formation are shared between Drosophila and humans.

Key Concepts

Orthologous Genes

Orthologous genes are genes in different species that evolved from a common ancestral gene and typically retain the same function. Studying orthologs helps scientists understand how genetic mechanisms are conserved across species, such as between Drosophila and humans, especially in developmental processes like eye formation.

Genetic Determinants of Eye Development

Genetic determinants are specific genes that control the growth and patterning of the eye. In Drosophila, genes like 'eyeless' regulate eye development, and their human counterparts (orthologs) perform similar roles, indicating conserved genetic pathways in eye formation across species.

Comparative Developmental Genetics

Comparative developmental genetics involves studying gene functions across different organisms to identify conserved biological processes. Evidence from Drosophila eye genes and their human orthologs shows that fundamental genetic controls of eye development are shared, providing insights into human biology through model organisms.